30 Powerful Baby Names That Mean Brave

Looking for the perfect name for your new arrival? We’ve got you covered. Check out our 30 favorite baby names that mean brave. We all want to raise our children to be courageous, confident, and ready to take on the world.

So, it’s hardly surprising that so many parents choose baby names that mean brave — let’s inspire this inner strength from Day 1!

So now for the big question — what name means brave?

Names that mean brave can be associated with warriors and battle, have links to mythology and folklore, or speak to the importance of cultivating deep inner strength.

Our list includes options from all over the world — spanning everything from modern Japan to ancient Greece.

Keep reading for our favorites.

In this article: 📝

What names mean brave and fearless?

Here are our top picks for powerful baby names that mean brave:

1. Audrina. A unique variation of the name Audrey, Audrina means “noble strength.” The name is both melodic and strong, powerful and elegant.
2. Bridget. Although we’ve all heard of the name Bridget — many of us from Ms. Jones's most famous Diary — its meaning may be less well known. From Gaelic roots, Bridget means “strength” or “exalted one.”
3. Mandla. This compelling Bantu name is powerful and poetic in equal measure. Clearly embodying its meaning of “strength,” Mandla is a prime example of boy names that mean strong and brave.
4. Qadir. This Arabic name is both strong and dignified and a brilliant choice for any new parents seeking boy names that mean brave. The name means “capable” and “powerful” — traits that any parent would be proud to see their child possess. It’s also one of the names of Allah in Islam.
5. Ragnar. Ragnar originates from Old Norse origins and means “warrior” and “judgment.” It was a common name amongst Vikings (and they were about as powerful as they come!) and remains a popular Scandinavian name to this day.
6. Leona. Leona means “lioness,” or denotes a person with “the strength of a lioness.” As with the star sign Leo, this name shares the qualities of the ruler of the animal kingdom.
7. Warrick or Warwick. From English roots, this name means “strong leader who defends.” One of the most famous bearers of this name is the British actor Warwick Davis.
8. Willard. Putting a twist on the more conventional “William,” Willard is a name that is sure to stand out from the crowd. The name has German origins and holds the meanings “resolute” and “brave.” Plus, it comes with a fun piece of trivia: Did you know that Will Smith’s full first name is actually Willard?

What girl name means brave?

Pick from one of these courageous options of girl names that mean brave.

9. Althea. With its graceful majesty, Althea features in ancient Greek poetry and mythology and means “with healing power.” In recent years, the name Althea was brought to the spotlight by Althea Gibson, the first African-American tennis player to win a Grand Slam title.
10. Audrey. This classic English name means “noble strength.” In Shakespeare’s famous play As You Like It, Audrey is a hilariously innocent lovesick character. The name has also been made famous by the remarkable Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn.
11. Bedelia. Bedelia is an Irish name, which puts a more unusual twist on the name Bridgit (which also got a spot in this list). Just like its twin name, Bedelia is a beautiful example of girl names that mean brave, as it holds the meaning “strength” or “exalted one.”
12. Briana. Despite originating from Ireland, the name Briana is popular throughout Hollywood. There’s Briana DeJesus and Briana Evigan, just to name a couple. This elegant name also means “strong” and “virtuous.”
13. Cyrene. This distinctive name has Greek origins and means “supreme power.” The most famous Cyrene in Greek Mythology was the queen who ruled the North African city that shared her name.
14. Matilda. Roald Dahl’s young, bookish heroine made this German name famous. While she as a character is renowned for her bravery, the name itself is packed with courage. Its meaning? “Battle mighty.”
15. Maude. From its Old German roots, this name has a potent meaning — “powerful battler.”
16. Valda. Valda is filled with might and force. It is a German girl’s name, which means “battle heroine” and “famous ruler.” Valda is certainly one to add to your list if you’re on the lookout for names meaning courage that are a little out of the ordinary.
17. Valentina. Valentina is a name that is at once glamorous and strong, brave and beautiful. The name, which originates from Latin, means “strength” and “health.” It continues to be one of the world’s most popular girl names that mean brave and is shared by actresses and athletes across the globe.
18. Zelda. Associated with the fantasy gaming character, Zelda was also the name of author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife. Zelda means “brave warrior.”

What name means brave or courageous for a boy?

Try one of these powerful boy names that mean brave.

19. Archie. Recently made famous as the name of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child, Archie is an excellent example of boy names that mean “strong” and “brave.” The name Archie means “truly brave” and derives from Archibald.
20. Ethan. Meaning “strong” and “firm,” this Hebrew boy’s name belongs to several key figures mentioned in the Old Testament.
21. Ezekiel. This popular Hebrew name comes from the famous prophet, who was prominent in the Old Testament of the Bible. Ezekiel — which means “God strengthens” — remains one of the most popular boy names that mean brave.
22. Everett. This sophisticated name has a mighty meaning. Once a Germanic surname, it means “brave as a wild boar.”
23. Gabriel. Gabriel is probably most well-known as the archangel in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim texts. The name means “God is my strength.”
24. Griffin. Belonging to the powerful mythical creature that is half-lion and half-eagle, this name has Welsh roots and means “strong lord.”
25. Imre. Another interesting example of boy names that mean brave, Imre puts an unusual twist on the more conventional name “Imran.” It originates from Hungary, where it means “strength.”
26. Pacome. Originating from France, Pacome means both “of strong nature” and “pacifier.” This makes the name a brilliant way to show that sometimes bravery means standing up for peace.
27. Takeo. Takeo is a very popular name throughout Japan, where it’s valued for its embodiment of strength and power. The name means “strong as bamboo.”

Gender-neutral baby names that mean brave

Choose from our list of mighty gender-neutral names:

28. Karma. This name puts a wonderful twist on conventional definitions of power. Karma is a Buddist and Hindu belief in cause and effect and the world’s order. The principles of karma dictate that when you do good, the world will reward you with good things in return.
29. Quinlan. Quinlan is traditionally an Irish surname and makes a bold, gender-neutral first name. It can be shortened to the sweet “Quinn.”
30. Zale. Many of our choices of names that mean brave come from mythology and legend, particularly that of the ancient Greeks. So, we thought it fitting to end on Zale — a Greek name that means “sea-strength.”
    And that’s it — the complete list of our favorite baby names that mean brave.

Whether you choose a name inspired by great warriors or translations of bravery used in names worldwide, we hope you’ve found a name that inspires power, strength, and courage.

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